Here are some highlights: I’ve managed to complete both of my long runs this weekend and last (5 miles). Actually, I figured out today that my route is closer to 6 miles.
Last week, I got a little lost and ended up wandering through a neighborhood of very, very fancy homes. This week, I reversed my route and was able to find the correct path. However, this path changed my route from more of an oval shape to a B shape. That’s right. “B.”
This makes me feel better about my pace, which is slow, but would be VERY slow if I was running 5 instead of 6 miles. And, while we’re on the topic of my route, can I just pose the question: How is it possible that one running route could have so many steep and low-grade hills when you run it both ways? Both times I’ve had moderate and prolonged moments of pure torture with these hills, and I’m learning that running one direction is not any easier than the other. Ah well. Better training for me, right?
Since my last posting, I’ve also realized that I can no longer run at the gym on the treadmill. Running on the treadmill has become torture. (Hm, second time I’ve used that word this posting.) Seriously, I hit about 1.5 or 2 miles on the treadmill and want to curl up in a ball and lay there, gasping for breath. Outside, it’s tough, but I can push through those moments to run 3.5 or 5 or 6 miles. Running outside, I even have moments of pure joy—my breath comes easily, my body feels strong but loose, and I feel like I would run forever if it always felt that good.
I realized last weekend after my first 5 mile run that I hadn’t run that distance since my last 10K: 2005 in Scotland, almost 4 years exactly. In fact, I really hadn’t run much more than 3 miles (if that) since then. Sure, I’d done interval training on the treadmill that brought me to 4 miles, but never a full, steady run. It was a great moment.
(Side note: DANG. The UNC/Duke game is on, and one our players just landed on another guy who was on the floor—came down right on his groin area with his foot. OUCH.)
Anyhow. Here a few things I’m learning:
- Strength training is key. Pushing up those hills is hard work that requires intensely engaging my legs and butt, and even just being able to run for more than 2 hours straight is going to require really strong legs and arms (strong arms will help propel me when I get tired).
- A good workout iPod mix is a blessing. I’ve been able to push through many a hill with the right song. Today, I finished my workout (uphill, of course) to Foo Fighters “Hero”—perfect.
- I need to purchase a fancy baseball hat that has ventilation and will wick the sweat away. Otherwise, my hat makes me feel like I’m going to overheat. And I like that the hat keeps away rain, sweat and sun. Speaking of which...
- Judging by the brown freckles that cropped up on my face during my run today (they didn’t look so hot for a while, but they seem to have tamed down a bit now), I need to invest in some really good sweat-proof sunscreen for my face. My daily SPF 15 lotion just won’t cut it.
And, to close, here are some things that, had you told me in December or early January, I would have outright laughed at you:
- I’d be training for a half-marathon.
- I’d be sticking to a half-marathon training program, making my schedule fit the program instead of making excuses for missing days. (Okay, well, except for the snow day. But I didn’t even open my front door that entire day to step outside. It was treacherous out there.)
- I’d be getting up at 5:15 in the morning to run before work.
- I’d wear spandex while I ran (knee-length “running tights”).
- I’d wear spandex while I ran in public, in broad daylight.
’Nuff said. I’ll post again soon!
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